Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats

Every time I go to Target, I love to walk down the candy aisle and see if there is anything new. What, you don't do that too? Anyways, I found these mini peanut butter cups there a while ago and have been waiting for the opportunity to bake with them. When I came across this recipe from Your Cup of Cake, I knew I had to try it. Chocolate and peanut butter is one of my favorite combinations and these rice crispy treats did not disappoint. 

These babies are not your average rice crispy treats. There is a lot of peanut butter inside them. You can leave out the peanut butter in one or both of the rice cereal layers, but I chose to keep it all in. The more peanut butter, the better. And I love that you can see the mini peanut butter cups on the outside of each one. Even more peanut butter!

Now that I do more baking, I need to find ways to get all of these baked goods out of my house. Having a few rice crispy treats is a good thing, having thirty of them is not. This week that meant sending them into work with my mom and my boyfriend. If you have any ideas as to where I should send my future baked goods, just let me know. In the meantime, enjoy this recipe :)

Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats

Recipe from Your Cup of Cake

1st Layer:

3 cups of crispy rice cereal

1/2 of a 10.5 oz bag of mini marshmallows

2 tbsp of softened butter

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2nd layer:

1/2 cup of softened butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/4 cups of mini peanut butter cups

3rd layer:

3 cups of crispy rice cereal

1/2 of a 10.5 oz bag of mini marshmallows

2 tbsp of softened butter

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

4th layer:

1 cup + 2 tbsp peanut butter

2 cups of chocolate chips

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Butter a 9 x 13 baking pan and set aside.

1st layer: In a large microwavable bowl, combine the peanut butter, marshmallows, butter and vanilla. Microwave in intervals of 45 seconds, stirring between each time, until mixture is smooth.  Add rice cereal and stir until combined. Dump mixture into the 9x13 baking pan and spread out evenly. Make sure to press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan. 

2nd layer: Microwave the butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla to the mixture and stir until well combined. Dump over the cereal mixture in pan and spread out evenly. Take mini peanut butter cups and spread out evenly over the peanut butter layer. Make sure to press the peanut butter cups into the peanut butter. 

3rd layer: Prepare this layer the same way as you did the first layer. 

4th layer: Melt peanut butter and chocolate chips over low heat on the stovetop until smooth. Make sure to stir the mixture constantly to avoid burning the chocolate. After cooling for a few minutes, pour this mixture on top of the cereal layer. Tilt pan to evenly distribute the chocolate over the top of the cereal layer. 

Carefully put plastic wrap over the top of the baking pan and place in the refrigerator to firm. Cut into bars of your own size choice and enjoy!